Most people do not have a will. This may be because they do not want to think about death or they haven’t got round to making one. As a result, when they die their wishes may not be carried out and they are leaving complicated problems for their family to deal with. Runhams can take care of this for you compassionately and sensitively. Do not put off making a will, choose Runhams for a friendly and efficient service to ensure your family are taken care of the way you would like them to be.

Why do I need to make a Will?

If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed amongst your family according to the law of intestacy. The law may mean that your estate is not distributed as you would like and because this law may change at any time, it should not be relied upon.

Under the law of intestacy, it is possible that your spouse may not get everything when you die. If you are living with someone and are not married to them, your partner may well get nothing at all.

In a will, you can also include provisions to minimise any charge to inheritance tax upon your death.

Make a Will through Runhams to:

Ensure your spouse/partner’s financial future is protected
State how your property and possessions should be divided upon your death. This will avoid any arguments between family members
Appoint Executors who you can trust to deal with the administration of your estate
Make gifts of money or personal items to friends/family or to charities
Reduce the payment of inheritance tax to a minimum upon your death
Provide properly for your young children
Make the administration of your estate easier and cheaper

Let Us Help You With Your Will

We provide free quotations. Please call us on 01274 532233 or complete our online free enquiry form

Probate

We have considerable experience with dealing with the administration of estates and also estates where inheritance tax is payable. We understand that the death of a close one is a stressful and traumatic time and we aim to take this away by completing the administration of the estate as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Executors of Wills are asked to bring in to us all items which could be converted into money along with the death certificate and any outstanding bills. This would include bank account details, building society passbooks, share certificates, premium bonds, national savings certificates, title deeds to the deceased’s property, the Will if we do not already hold it etc. We will also write to the people who are owed money from the estate and confirm to these people that their debt will be paid off when the estate is in funds. After the size of the estate is ascertained, the probate papers will be drafted and given to the Executors to swear. These will then be sent off to the Probate Registry so that the grant of probate can be obtained. Once the grant of probate is obtained, the assets can be collected in and any liabilities paid off. A winding up account will then be drafted and after it has been approved by the executors, we will send the legacies to the beneficiaries and obtain receipts from them.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

From the 1st October 2007, Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) were replaced by the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). An LPA enables a person over the age of 18 to appoint one or more persons to act on their behalf if they were to subsequently lose capacity. An LPA is different to an EPA as it allows the donor to let their attorney make decisions affecting their personal welfare (for example healthcare and medical treatment decisions) aswell as decisions concerning their property and finances. EPA's signed before 1st October 2007 remain valid. Contact us for further information about LPA's.

We Are Here To Help You With Your Probate Needs

Please call us on 01274 532233 or complete our online free enquiry form